Detroit Lions Director of Youth Football Camps Chris Fritzsching leads warm-up drills Tuesday morning. (photo by Ed Wright)

Detroit Lions Youth Football Camp teaches football and life skills

BY ED WRIGHT
July 6, 2010, 6:15 p.m.

  The heat index was approaching 100 Tuesday morning on the sun-baked Central Middle School football field, but it couldn't keep up with the learning index.

  Or the fun index.

  Central was the site of the annual four-day Detroit Lions Youth Football Camp, which attracted its usual large contingent of area youngsters looking to fine tune their gridiron skills under the supervision of Lions Director of Youth Football Programs Chris Fritzsching and his staff of highly trained assistants.

  Scorching temperatures didn't diminish the high-energy spirit of the camp, which stressed more than how to excel between the sidelines.

  "In addition to teaching the kids how to play the game, we also talk about the character traits that football teaches," said Fritzsching, who has been overseeing the Plymouth-based camp for six years. "We talk about goal-setting, attitude, teamwork and accountability. We try to stress those things because parents are trying to stress those things at home and teachers are trying to stress those things at school.

  "When the kids leave here on Thursday, we want them to have a better understanding of the game of football from a participant's perspective as well as from a fan's perspective. We want to show them how fun it is, whether you're a player, a coach or a fan."

  This week's camp drew 84 youths, who ranged in age from 6 to 14 years old. The campers were separated into four groups based on age.

  Following a series of calisthenics and warm-ups, the future Calvin Johnsons and Dominic Raiolas of the world participated in a several fast-paced drills that were separated by well-timed water breaks.

  Each day of the camp ends with the always-popular scrimmages.

  "The kids love the scrimmages - that's their highlight," said Fritzsching, smiling. "From a coaching standpoint, our highlight is seeing the progression a child makes in a short week's time. That's the satisfying thing for us."

  During Wednesday's three-and-a-half hour session the campers will be taken into a Central Middle School classroom where they will view Detroit Lions game film from last year.

  On Thursday, recently acquired tight end Tony Scheffler will serve as one of the camp's coaches.

  The Lions will host 20 camps this summer and several year-round clinics and educational camps, Fritzsching added.

  For more information on the camps, visit www.DetroitLions.com.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

A camper navigates through a drill under the watchful eye of one of the camp's assistant coaches. (photo by Ed Wright)

A pair of players celebrate a scrimmage-winning touchdown pass. (photo by Ed Wright) 

A receiver comes down with the ball in traffic. (photo by Ed Wright)

Campers sprint from one station to the next Tuesday morning.